TOWN OF BRADFORD
SELECTMEN’S MINUTES
DECEMBER 28, 2010
8:30AM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Peter Fenton, Chair called the meeting to order with Jack Meaney, Harry Wright and Cheryl Behr, Administrator present. Marge Cilley, Secretary was absent.
Police Dept:
Peter Fenton, Chair advised the main reason for this meeting is to speak with the Police Chief in regards to a new cruiser. Ed Shaughnessy is also in attendance. Peter Fenton, Chair asked if any prices have been checked on and Jack Meaney advised he had called Hillsboro Ford and they have a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria starting anywhere from $21,000 to $24,000. It was stated that these cars are just for municipalities. At this time, Jack Meaney called Hillsboro Ford for a firm price on a cruiser to be purchased before the end of the year. Peter Fenton, Chair stated that at the Budget Committee meeting on December 21 that the Selectmen had pretty much decided to wait on this purchase until next year. Cheryl Behr, Administrator questioned after the last Selectmen’s meeting, what brought this subject up again. Peter Fenton advised there was discussion concerning the Police Cruiser purchase this year, but there was no vote on it, just conversation. Ed Shaughnessy, Police Officer was questioned how much on call coverage was the State Police doing in Bradford, to which he responded, Sundays they covered from 12 noon to midnight, with four hours on Saturday, for a total of 16 hours a week. Now we are covered 100% of the time.
Hillsboro Ford called back and Jack Meaney advised they have a blue vehicle for $21,687.00, and a black one for $21,412.00
Ed Shaughnessy went over the budget items for the Police Dept.
Peter Fenton, Chair questioned Harry Wright what he thought about the Cruiser Purchase before the end of the year to which he responded he agrees with the position he had last Tuesday that they wait until town meeting and handle it as a Warrant Article as it has always been, rather than buy it out of excess funds. This money, if not spent prior to January 1, 2011 will go back into the general fund. Jack Meaney advised he feels they should purchase it now in case it did not pass at town meeting as well as the money is already there and will not increase next years taxes. The price again is for the blue vehicle which is in stock is $21,687.00, and is a 2011 vehicle. Peter Fenton, Chair advised the Selectmen do have the final say, and after talking with the Budget Committee he would have to say no to purchasing a new police cruiser before town meeting. Jack Meaney advised there is money in the budget now and thinks it should be purchased, as it would mean one less Warrant Article at town meeting, as well as they have found a new 2011 available now. Ed Shaughnessy advised if a new cruiser is procured, the one that is currently unmarked would go down to state auction, staying at three vehicles. Harry Wright advised he feels the legislative body of the town do want to be the ones spending that much money. Peter Fenton, Chair questioned Ed Shaughnessy about how much money would it cost to outfit a new cruiser. Ed stated about $450.00/500.00 for decals and the highway department did the entire equipment switch over last year.
Motion made by Peter Fenton, Chair to see if anyone is in favor of taking money out of the budget to pay for a 2011 cruiser. Jack Meaney voted yes. Motion defeated 2-1.
Budget Committee:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised the Budget Committee has questioned the alarm system in general and Ed Shaughnessy said the upstairs of the town hall should be done as well as the highway garage storage facility, with the first priority being the highway garage. Cheryl Behr, Administrator will check on some companies. The Secretaries’ salary is being increased this year do to the increased bookkeeping from the Cop’s Grant.
It was stated by Peter Fenton, Chair that the Budget Committee has voted to recommend a 1% increase across the board. It was stated that the Budget Committee needs to be more specific. Cheryl Behr, Administrator stated that Council advised the Selectmen can make recommendations, however it is the Budget Committee’s budget.
The Selectmen’s consensus was that it would not be possible with the increases in fuel, insurance etc. and they would stay with their current budget. Peter Fenton, Chair will advise the Budget Committee next Tuesday. Cheryl Behr stated that it would not be 8% increase when the Cop’s Grant comes in, it would only be 4%
Rescue Squad:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator presented more prices on the suits for the Rescue Squad to the Selectmen. Calls were up 3%, Transports were down 4%, with only 96 transports, of which of the calls, 143 were from Bradford, 29 were in Newbury, and 10 in Sutton.
Motion was made to accept the quote that was procured from the Globe Manufacturing Co. for suits for the Rescue Squad is $15,195.32. Seconded by Jack Meaney. Motion carried 3-0.
Community Center:
The Budget Committee has a concern regarding the cleaning service amount at the Community Center. This position is a contracted service and everything is provided by the service. Peter Fenton, Chair spoke with the person that does the Pest Control Service at the Community Center, and he told Peter that he could do the service for less money, even following the guidelines for Community Centers and Pre-Schools. Jack Meaney advised a supplier should offer to his clients, by law, the MSDS sheets, or they can be requested. Picnic Tables, hoses were left out at the Community Center. The skid steer
got too close to a matt at one of the doors and chewed it up taking two men, two hours to free the skid steer.
The Selectmen went over the up-dated Director’s Responsibilities.
Trudy Willett advised she had ordered an emergency light for the Community Center, and it has been installed.
Community Center Job Descriptions includes the following:
The Selectmen suggested the hours for the part time Director of the Community Center should be 1:00 to 5:00pm. if the Director has not set the hours to be from 12 noon to 4:00pm. Title for Job Description will be noted as Part Time Director. The Police Dept. has made up a list for the Director to follow regarding how many people, how much they paid, what room was used etc. The Selectmen will obtain this list for perusal. The Post Office Box for the Community Center will be closed and any mail will come to the Selectmen’s Office. It was also stated that a monthly report needs to be presented to the Selectmen from the Community Center Director. The Selectmen’s office will make all the calls for services required at the Community Center. Other discussion took place regarding the Job Description including wording and content. Cheryl Behr, Administrator will forward an e-mail to the Director with the revised Part Time Director’s Job Description with a tag requesting an acknowledgement of same. It was suggested by Peter Fenton, Chair to put a sign in the window for Emergency, call 911 for all other concerns call the Selectmen’s Office.
Police Dept:
Peter Fenton, Chair advised the Budget Committee questioned the gas usage from the Police Dept. and he reminded them there was still 45 days more to the end of the year from when the last figures were presented.
Library:
Budget Committee questioned who pays the workman’s comp for the library, and Peter Fenton, Chair advised the Selectmen’s Office does.
Sidewalks:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised one of the thoughts from the Safe Routes to School Committee was to put a shelter at the Lafayette Corner, and a concern is where is the Right of Way. Also, a tree across from the Community Center, a gigantic oak tree by Cilley Lane. Is this a historic tree and if so do we want them to save it? Sidewalks will be discussed at the January 4th, 2011 Selectmen’s meeting.
Naomi Paine:
Jack Meaney stated that Mike Barrett, Hillsboro has all the paper work and permits from DES. Harry Wright suggested that they advise the Planning Board that it is all taken care of. The house is actually in Hillsborough.
Energy Audit:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised there is a final on the Energy Audit with a list of things to do. Cheryl is proceeding with TDFA about an Energy Efficiency Loan at 1.25%. We picked up about $32,000.00 without putting in interior storm windows.
Meeting adjourned 11:00am
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary